Algarve Travel Guide

The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, mainly because of the abundance of clean and beautiful beaches found here. The beaches and resorts are known to be pollution-free as well as being affordable. Locals are also very welcoming and friendly. With over a hundred beautiful beaches in the area, you can surely find the perfect beach for you to either have a peaceful and relaxed vacation or a more fast-paced one. Whatever you choose, the Algarve has the perfect beach resort for you to settle on during your travel.

The population of permanent residents is less than 500,000 but this number increases more than tenfold when the tourists who come here every year. July and August are usually the busiest times of the year for tourism. One of the most popular tourist spots here is Silves. It is surrounded by valleys of orange groves. A red sandstone castle dominates Silves and stands proudly against the sky.

Another experience you shouldn't miss in the Algarve is walking along the 186 mile walking route of the Via Algarviana. This route starts in Alcoutim, near the border of Spain. The route is particularly scenic and beautiful in the springtime when the fields are covered with wonderful smelling wildflowers.

The Algarve also offers a huge range of golf courses. The green fees may be different from one golf course to another, so it is worth checking on the prices before deciding where to go. The Sir Henry Cotton Championship Course was the first course built in the Algarve and continues to be one of the most popular golf courses here.

Another experience of a lifetime that you should try here is cruising. The Algarve Seafaris Cruises, a licensed pioneer cruise company, offers plenty of activities on the Algarvian Coast. Algarve Seafaris Cruises will help you experience the best that Algarve has to offer including beautiful and stunning natural rock formations, a few of the largest caves in Europe, tunnels, cliffs and much more. You can choose to go on a half day or whole day cruise with a break on a secluded beach location which is only reachable by water. You’ll also get to experience a mouthwatering barbecue lunch break with your family and friends. The cruises which begin in Villamoura Marina sail west along the Algarvian coast. They also offer activities such as sport fishing, family fishing trips or deep sea fishing. You will be provided with necessary equipment and bait and all you have to do is enjoy. Whether you want a deep sea fishing for fishing the smaller fishes or a big game fishing for fishing the bigger species of fishes, Algarve Seafaris can give this experience to you.

Algarve's largest visitor attraction is the Zoo Marine. It provides a lot of opportunities for kids to interact with and get close to marine species such as dolphins and fishes. There are dolphins, sea lions and seal shows that are really enjoyable for youngsters. Children can even swim with the dolphins. Water slides and merry go rounds are also available. People of all ages especially the young at heart, will surely have a fun-filled day here. Zoo Marine won the traveller's choice award in 2013, awarded by Tripadvisor.com. It is also among the Top 25 Amusement Parks and Water Parks in Europe. Here you will also find an amazing aquarium of sharks, different marine habitats, swimming pools, cinema4D and many more. Discover the mysteries of marine life only here at Zoo Marine, Algarve's best family theme park.

There are other notable water parks on the Algarve which you should not miss. Among the main and most popular water parks are the Aqualand, Aquashow Park Hotel and Slide and Splash.

The Algarve naturally is home to many world-class beaches. Praia de Albandeira, for example, is the perfect beach for those who want to enjoy peace and quiet since this beach is unknown to many tourists due to its remote location. It is very beautiful; you are surely going to have the perfect day just enjoying the beach and soaking yourself in the sun or enjoying the white sand beaches and the beautiful rocks and cliffs. A favorite family beach destination, because of the safe blue waters, is the Praia do Anção. With its safe and calm waters, lifeguards and protected dunes, it’s the best beach destination for those vacationing with families.

Praia do Amoreira is perfect for nature lovers. Here you can find endless rock pools where you can find starfishes and sea urchins. Not really a good place for children but perfect for those who like to surf and play in the sand.